Was the trade worth it? Let’s go through the deal and grade each aspect of the trade:

TRADE COMPENSATION

The Eagles will trade their original third- (No. 85) and fifth-round (No. 166) picks to the Lions for Slay, according to multiple reports. The team still owns picks in both rounds, as they have a compensatory third-round pick (No. 103) and a fifth-round pick acquired in a trade with the Patriots (No. 168) for defensive end Michael Bennett last year.

The Eagles were able to hang onto their vital second-round pick in trade negotiations, which was crucial. With several needs at starting positions, the Eagles needed to own first- and second-round picks in April.

While some will argue that the Eagles could have signed cornerbacks like Desmond Trufant and Prince Amukamara for less money without giving up trade compensation, the Eagles clearly felt that Slay was the upgrade they needed at cornerback after years of inconsistent play.

GRADE: B

CONTRACT EXTENSION

Slay will receive a new three-year, $50 million deal in its place as part of the trade. The deal comes with $30 million in guaranteed money and he will own the largest annual salary average ($16.7 million) among NFL cornerbacks. UPDATE: Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the final year of Slay’s Lions contract will stay in place, making the deal a four-year, $60.5 million pact overall.

On Darius Slay’s deal with the #Eagles, he sees a three-year extension making him the highest-paid CB at $16.7m. On the team end, it’s all new to them so they’re seeing a four-year, $60.5 million deal ($15.125m per year) for a top-notch corner. Works for both sides.

While this is a massive deal, it’s a smartly designed one as well. The Eagles traded two notable-ish draft picks for a 29-year-old cornerback. For that trade compensation, the Eagles should want him in Philadelphia for multiple years.

This new deal enables the Eagles to lock Slay up for two years while also giving the team an out before the third season if he declines in play. Cornerbacks typically lose steam around 30, so the Eagles will get to evaluate Slay for two years before deciding to keep him for a third campaign.

There’s also an argument that the Eagles could have just paid new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, who will average $16.5 million over the span of five years in Miami. That move would have allowed the Eagles to keep all 10 of their draft picks while still massively upgrading the cornerback position.

While he is coming off a down year, per Pro Football Focus, the veteran cornerback still had a much better season than Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby. Unlike that duo, Slay was asked to mirror the opposing team’s top receiving weapon.

Slay is a three-time Pro Bowl (2017-19) and one-time first-team All-Pro (2017) cornerback. He once co-led the league with eight interceptions in 2017. Outside of his rookie campaign, Slay has never had less than two interceptions in a season.

The Eagles’ secondary has failed to consistently stop opposing passing games and create turnovers over the past two seasons. Slay is capable of going one-on-one with the opposing team’s top weapon and limiting his effectiveness. He is also capable of making regular plays on the ball.

While he is coming off a 2019 campaign that saw him hampered by a hamstring injury, the ailment wasn’t serious enough to scare off the Eagles.

GRADE: B+

IMPACT ON DEFENSE

The Eagles’ defense has improved this week.

While the loss of Jenkins is a major one, it also opened up the opportunity to trade for and sign Slay. If Jenkins were still on the roster, the Eagles would probably have had an issue on their hands regarding Slay’s contract.

The additions of Slay and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave will be essential in improving the defense this season. Hargrave will improve the team’s all-around pass-rushing success, forcing pressure and other linemen to have one-on-one matchups. Slay will cover the backend and guard the opposing team’s top wide receiver. Slay has historically been successful against Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper, for instance.

Slay and Hargrave, who need to be linked by their arrivals, will improve the Eagles’ pass defense.

Both were added on three-year deals that could become two-year pacts if their individual production doesn’t meet the standards of their respective contracts.

Slay’s arrival also takes some pressure off the Eagles when it comes to the safety position. With a definitive No. 1 cornerback in the secondary, the Eagles may feel better about using former cornerback Jalen Mills in a starting role at safety. The Eagles could also move Avonte Maddox to outside cornerback, which would give Cre’Von LeBlanc the opportunity to man the nickel corner position.

GRADE: B

FUTURE FLEXIBILITY

The Eagles have invested two picks and a lot of money in Slay. While we don’t know what his cap number will be in 2020, Slay’s arrival will take a decent chunk of cap space away from the Eagles’ books. That said, the team should still have room to fill out the roster with more depth additions.

The trade compensation limits the Eagles to just eight draft picks in an offseason where the team wanted to get younger. That said, with the addition of Slay, perhaps the Eagles can shop former picks, Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones, to make up for the lost draft assets. Given what the Eagles are giving up for Slay, it’s fair to say Douglas and Jones are expendable as they enter the final year of their respective contracts.

The Eagles are toward the lower end of the cap room pool in the NFL. While they can still make big deals, they also need to mind the future and get younger. The Slay deal hinders that philosophy a bit but doesn’t outright negate the team’s overall direction.

GRADE: B-

OVERALL THOUGHTS

The Eagles landed a top-flight cornerback toward the end of his prime and signed him to a lofty but manageable contract. While the team lost two draft picks in the deal, it still has eight selections (including a first, a second and three fourth-round picks) remaining.

The Eagles upgraded their most crucial free agency need. Now, they can address the position again on Day 2, instead of focusing on Day 1 cornerbacks in the draft. This outlook will allow the Eagles to zone in on a potential top-tier wide receiver prospect in the first round of April’s draft.

OVERALL GRADE: B

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